Katherine E. Ross Obtains Summary Disposition in Negligence Case Brought Against General Contractor for Actions of Subcontractor

Joy Hendren v Great Lakes Granite and Marble Company, et al., Oakland County Circuit Court Case No. 2020-182320-NO. The plaintiff filed an ordinary negligence claim against Great Lakes Granite and Marble Company after suffering injury when the granite countertop fell off her kitchen island. However, the countertop was installed by an independent subcontractor, not Great Lakes Granite and Marble Company. While the plaintiff tried to argue liability under the ostensible agency theory, the Court agreed with our arguments and granted summary disposition on the basis that a general contractor cannot be held liable for the alleged torts of a subcontractor, except in two limited situations, which were not alleged by the plaintiff.